1988 Chris Craft Boat 26' Restore

[frankyj29]

I started ripping apart the original carpet because there was this moldy smell so my project was just to replace it with some fake teak or something and then I noticed that the previous owners just slapped on plywood after plywood *3 to cover the rot instead of doing a good job fixing the issue.

I've removed all plywood and found foam underneath all plywood on both sides of the stringers in the galley and in the back captain's cabin.

A few questions:
Is it necessary for the foam to be there?

What would be the process to repair the stringers? I've included a photo that partly shows delamination at the ends and they are rotten. Same for the cross section. They are also rotten. I'm unsure of how to proceed with this since this is a cabin boat and I don't want to start removing everything that isn't necessary.

 

[Scott Danforth]

read link 14 https://forums.iboats.com/forum/boa...r/295740-how-to-s-and-other-great-information

yes, foam is both structural and for flotation

on a 30 year old boat, most likely you will be doing the transom, all the stringers and bulkheads, the deck, and a bit more.

 

[tpenfield]

Yes, on the foam.

As far as the structural stuff. (stringers, bulkheads, etc.) Cabin boats can be a bit more tricky than the typical bowrider or runabout. Is it a full cabin with and aft berth? or just a cuddy cabin?

Anyway, you will want to get a good understanding of the structure before you go cutting too many things out. Take a bunch of pictures of various aspects of the boat's structure from a decent distance so we can all see what you are seeing and get some perspective.

It would be best to make a sketch or diagram for what the structure appears to be.

Also, you may want to contact Chris-Craft to see if they have documentation (drawings) to share.

 

[alldodge]

Tyvek suits, a good respirator and oscillating tool

 

[frankyj29]

Yes, on the foam.

As far as the structural stuff. (stringers, bulkheads, etc.) Cabin boats can be a bit more tricky than the typical bowrider or runabout. Is it a full cabin with and aft berth? or just a cuddy cabin?

Anyway, you will want to get a good understanding of the structure before you go cutting too many things out. Take a bunch of pictures of various aspects of the boat's structure from a decent distance so we can all see what you are seeing and get some perspective.

It would be best to make a sketch or diagram for what the structure appears to be.

Also, you may want to contact Chris-Craft to see if they have documentation (drawings) to share.

Sorry all for the delayed response as I waited for any replies to show up in my emails but none came so I decided to just login and verify. I don't know how to update my original post with pics and it's not from lack of trying but I'll just post it in this reply. It is a full cabin since I have a full size head with shower, v-birth for sleeping and a small aft-cabin (captains cabin) in the back. but check out the pics I've included they are before I started to remove the carpets and rotten wood. I also added a more detailed picture of the aft-cabin. How do I replace the cross-section that is perpendicular the the stringers without making the roof collapse or any other structural failures?

I'll contact Chris Craft to see what they say today. Cross fingers. All in all, I'm loving this challenge and I have no rush to finish this but I would like to finish it correctly.